"No but your cheerleader friends did. Belle draws people to her. She can't help it. But hurt her." Jeff leaned close. "And thats the worse mistake you will make." Jeff knew he was being mean but he was just protective of Belle. He had seen her hurt by guys and girls. Seeing her coming over Jeff got up and left without another word.

Watching Jeff leave Belle sat next to Nolee confused. "What did he say?"

"He told me I didn't belong with you because the cheerleaders, the other ones, had shunned you," Nolee softly said, looking at her lap. "And he basically threatened me if I ever hurt you. I don't wanna hurt you...'

Belle growled softly. Jeff was known for being protective but never like that. She turned toward Nolee and looked at her. "I wanted to be a cheerleader. Get Shannon off my back. It didn't work out cause I was too different. But I don't look at it as a shun. I look at is as they merely pointed me to where I had a place." She gestured around to the people sitting and laughing. "This, is there I have a place." Belle smiled slightly and took Nolee's hand. "And well Jeff is just protective. Seen me hurt before and doesn't want to again. Ignore him."

"If it wasn't what my mom was before she died and where I felt like I was being known, I wouldn't do it either. The other cheerleaders aren't nice people, even to their fellow cheerleaders. I've never had anyone be protective of me," Nolee shrugged. "He acts like you all are the only ones who get rejected. But at least the only people who rejected you all are your peers. You've never had family reject you."

Belle shook her head. "Look around. We didn't become what we were on our own. Jeff?His mom died when he was too young to even really remember her. Some of the guys have alcoholic dads. Girls have daddy's who are a little too touchy or they take care of the family. Not the parents. And me?" Belle paused and took a breath "I live with Shannon. Because my parents thought if they sent me with him I would straighten out.Others dont protect us so we protect each other.Thats all some of us have." Sighing she looked out at the lake. "Don't say we don't know rejection. Thats all some of us know." Belle silently sipped her soda looking at the lake.